Metandienone, also known as methandienone or methandrostenolone and sold under the brand name Dianabol (D-Bol) among others, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is still quite often used because of its affordability and effectiveness for bulking cycles. It is also used non-medically for physique- and performance-enhancing purposes. It is often taken by mouth.
In essence, it is synthetic testosterone i.e., it mimics testosterone in the body. This encourages muscle hypertrophy while making it easier to maintain muscle mass. It does this by triggering an increase in the production of amino acids, the building blocks of protein and the fuel we need to build muscle.
Metandienone was originally developed in 1955 by CIBA and marketed in Germany and the United States. As the CIBA product Dianabol, metandienone quickly became the first widely used AAS among professional and amateur athletes, and remains the most common orally active AAS for non-medical use.
Methandienone binds to and activates the androgen receptor (AR) in order to exert its effects. These include dramatic increases in protein synthesis, glycogenolysis, and muscle strength over a short space of time. While it can be metabolized by 5α-reductase into methyl-1-testosterone (17α-methyl-δ1-DHT), a more potent AAS, the drug has extremely low affinity for this enzyme and methyl-1-testosterone is thus produced in only trace amounts.
As such, 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride do not reduce the androgenic effects of metandienone.
Nonetheless, while the ratio of anabolic to androgenic activity of metandienone is improved relative to that of testosterone, the drug does still possess moderate androgenic activity and is capable of producing severe virilization in women and children.
As such, it is only really commonly used in men.
Metandienone is a substrate for aromatase and can be metabolized into the estrogen methylestradiol (17α-methylestradiol).[1] While the rate of aromatization is reduced relative to that for testosterone or methyltestosterone, the estrogen produced is metabolism-resistant and hence metandienone retains moderate estrogenic activity.
As such, it can cause side effects such as gynecomastia and fluid retention. The co-administration of an antiestrogen such as an aromatase inhibitor like anastrozole or a selective estrogen receptor modulator like tamoxifen can reduce or prevent such estrogenic side effects. Metandienone has no progestogenic activity.
As with other 17α-alkylated AAS, metandienone may be hepatotoxic, especially with prolonged use of high doses.
Metabolism: Metandienone has high oral bioavailability. It has very low affinity for human serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), about 10% of that of testosterone and 2% of that of DHT. The drug is metabolized in the liver by 6β-hydroxylation, 3α- and 3β-oxidation, 5β-reduction, 17-epimerization, and conjugation among other reactions.[24] Unlike methyltestosterone, owing to the presence of its C1(2) double bond, metandienone does not produce 5α-reduced metabolites.
Absorption: Well absorbed following parenteral administration.
Route of elimination: It is eliminated in the urine.
Half life: The elimination half-life of metandienone is about 3 to 6 hours.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Some medical conditions may interact with Metandienone.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Side effects: Androgenic side effects such as oily skin, acne, seborrhea, increased facial/body hair growth, scalp hair loss, and virilization may occur. Estrogenic side effects such as gynecomastia and fluid retention can also occur. Case reports of gynecomastia exist. As with other 17α-alkylated steroids, methandienone poses a risk of hepatotoxicity and use over extended periods of time can result in liver damage without appropriate precautions.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
